friday five: gratitude

Happy Friday! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and had a chance to run a Turkey Trot in the morning before binging on your Thanksgiving Day feast :) 

Like every Friday, I am linking up with the DC Trifecta: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run, as I do every Friday. This week's theme is "Gratitude". Below is a list of five things I am grateful for this year:

1. Family. This is a no-brainer for me, and is probably high on most people's list. The family I was born in to is a group of fantastic people, I have a supportive husband, two adorable dogs, and great in-laws. I am thankful every day for each and every one of them.

2. Friends. I adore my friends. They make me laugh and are always there for me when I need them. Some of them even fit into the 'family' category.

3. Running. I am thankful for running. It's a great stress release, fun way to stay fit and healthy (or at least trying to be these things), and even though I started out not enjoying it, it's something I now love. 

4. Being a BibRave Pro. Joining the BibRave Pro ambassadorship is one of the best thing's I've ever done. I'm thankful I decided to apply (it took a bit of courage for me to put myself out there), and even more thankful that I was chosen. I've met a great group of people that I can now call friends, and it's been a great experience. It's helped me to connect more with the running community, and other than my blog, joining #bibchat on Tuesday nights was how I first started interacting with other runners. I've also had the chance to try out some great products. It's been a great few months :) PS They are taking applications for 2015 Pros – only open until 11/30, so get on it if you are interested.

5. My readers and all the new friends I've made on Twitter/Instagram. I am thankful for each and every one of you, my readers, along with all of the new friends I've made on Twitter and Instagram. It's been so great to interact with so many new people who are supportive, inspirational, and motivating. Thank you for being awesome!

What are you grateful for this year?

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (direct links above in first paragraph) and link up if you are joining in on the fun. Don't forget to read/comment on some of the other link ups! 

the weekly chase #33

On Tuesdays I join the Weekly Chase link up with Mindy from Road Runner Girl – thanks for hosting, Mindy! Below are my goals from last week and a little recap on how they went. Under that are my goals for this week. 

Weekly goals for November 17–23; recap

Goal #1 - Daily goals – 

A: Log and stay under calorie goals. 

B: Drink 48 ounces of water.

C: Eat healthier snacks/meals. 

D. Hit 10,000 steps per day via Fitbit.

I ate better and drank more water, but I didn't do much other than work, laundry, and cleaning (read: lots of laying around resting), so I didn't hit my steps. 

Goal #2 - Continue Dopey training - two 45 minute runs, 7 miles on Saturday.

If you read my week in review, you know my training was non-existant this week. I rested and tried to get healthier in preparation for this week's Dopey Challenge simulation (each day is about 2 miles less than the race day, actual simulation later in December).

Goal #3 - Roll with the stick/foam roll, stretch, and ice daily.

I didn't ice daily, but I did receive a Addaday roller thanks to the BibRave Pro program and have LOVED using it on the daily. It feels AMAZING. I also stretched.

Goal #4 - Cross train at least two days.

Nope.

Goal #5 - Unpack, do laundry, clean house.

Yes.

Weekly goals for November 24–30

Goal #1 - Daily goals – 

A: Log and stay under calorie goals. 

B: Drink 48 ounces of water.

C: Eat healthier snacks/meals. 

D. Hit 10,000 steps per day via Fitbit.

Goal #2 - Continue Dopey training.

Goal #3 - Roll with the stick/foam roll, stretch, and ice daily.

Goal #4 - Cross train at least two days.

Goal #5 - Clean house. I'd really like to clean/organize to get a head start before the new year rolls around and I feel overwhelmed. 

How about you – what are your goals for the week?

week in review: november 17–23

Dopey Challenge Training: Week 21

Monday, November 17: rest day

Tuesday, November 18: unscheduled rest day

Wednesday, November 19: rest day

Thursday, November 20: unscheduled rest day

Friday, November 21: rest day 

Saturday, November 22: unscheduled rest day

Sunday, November 23: rest day

Weekly mileage: 0 - week was spent catching up on life and lots of rest

Total mileage for Dopey Challenge Training: 314.58 miles

The week was pretty much a wash. I was so exhausted from the trip and traveling that I couldn't manage much else other than getting unpacked, cleaning, laundry, and working. I have a cold so I tried to up my Vitamin C intake and get some rest, since this week's training is pretty intense (first trial of the Dopey Challenge – 4 days of running, eeks!). I can already tell this winter is going to be rough as far as my health and training are concerned, but I shall power through. 

On the plus side, I went to the Fitz and the Tantrums concert Saturday night with some friends and had a great time. Though, I'm sure being out and about and not getting to bed until late didn't help my cause at all.

I'm looking forward to some races this week, along with family time for Thanksgiving, not to mention all of the delicious food. I won't feel too guilty stuffing my face since I'll be putting in so many miles later this week, which I'm hoping will be outside and not on the treadmill. Fingers crossed for no wind over the weekend! I can manage through the cold, but the crazy winds we've been having lately have been rough. 

So what's on deck this week?
Tuesday: 30–45 minutes
Thursday: 4 mile Turkey Trot
Friday: 4 miles walking
Saturday: Grant Park Turkey Trot 5k, Ugly Sweater 5k + another 4 miles to make 10 (I'll mostly be walking to save the legs for Sunday)
Sunday: 23 miles - - ahhhhhhh! Someone give me advice and words of encouragement, as I am starting to freak out a little bit.

How was your week/end? Did training go well? Are you running a Turkey Trot? Big plans for Thanksgiving?

P.S. Make sure to review your race(s) on BibRave.com, and join us for #BibChat tomorrow night at 8pm CT.

friday five: favorite fall foods

It's Friday! Whoo! Like every Friday, I am linking up with the DC Trifecta: Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC, Cynthia at You Signed up for What?, and Mar at Mar on the Run, as I do every Friday. This week's theme is "Favorite Fall Foods".

1. Caprese Farro Salad. This recipe comes courtesy of the Runner's World Cookbook. Here's the recipe online. We have always used quinoa instead of farro.

2. Panera Bread Tomato Soup and Mozzarella Tomato Panini. I like to go over on my lunch break and pick up this combo. Helps keep me warm in our freezing office, and it tastes delicious.

3. Cinnamon Rolls. YUM. The smell is great to wake up to, plus when it's fresh from the oven it's just so lovely. It's a great weekend treat, when you have the time to savor it with a glass of milk and some tea.

4. Pumpkin Pie. I pretty much only eat it on Thanksgiving, but I love pumpkin pie... and french apple. Nothing says fall like a big ole slice of pumpkin pie :)

5. Chicken Noodle Soup. Nothing like a hot bowl of chicken noodle soup to warm the soul. I eat a lot of soup in the fall/winter – especially when I'm feeling crummy. I haven't tried this recipe yet, but sounds good and easy enough to make... maybe. I'm not the cook in the family ;)

What are some of your favorite fall foods?

Thanks to Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for hosting! Make sure to check out their "Friday Five" posts (direct links above in first paragraph) and link up if you are joining in on the fun. Don't forget to read/comment on some of the other link ups! 

clif bar minis and shot bloks / luna protein bar review

All of the goodies!

Disclaimer: I received Clif and LUNA products to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!*

Fueling before, during, and after your runs can be tricky. You want to make sure you get the right kinds of fuel that will help you power your runs along with help with the recovery process afterwards. It can take a lot of trial and error before finding a product or products that work for you. Some people have sensitive stomachs, others have picky tastes (me!). I have trouble with the texture of GUs and other shot-like options. I've found some things that work great for me, but I'm also always willing to try new things – maybe they'll be even better than what I use now. What works for some won't work for others. That's why you have to test different options and see how your body reacts.

I've been using Clif Shot Bloks for maybe a year now and have been a big fan. I find them easy to use while running, and have no stomach issues with them. They give me the energy to finish those longer runs (carbs, protein, sodium, and even a little potassium). 

I've also received a variety of their bars through countless race swag bags and have enjoyed them. I haven't had much chance to try LUNA bars. When I heard that Clif and LUNA were sending ALL of the BibRave Pros a shipment of their products, I was extremely pleased.

What was in my shipment? An 18-count box of Shot Bloks Orange with Caffeine, 18-count box of mini Clif Bars – 9 Chocolate Chip and 9 White Chocolate Macadamia Nut, and 12-count box of Chocolate Coconut Almond LUNA Protein bars.

I was SO grateful for all of the products we received, the amount sent was extremely generous. However, I am a picky eater and not a fan of coconut... so I reached out to all of the other Pros to see if anyone had a different flavor and was willing to swap. Luckily for me, Jenn (The Cupcake Runner) wasn't a fan of the Lemon Vanilla, so we each shipped our boxes to each other – thanks again, Jenn!

Featured: LUNA Protein Bars, Clif Bar Minis, and Clif Shot Bloks.

SHOT BLOKS
On my long runs (which for me is 6+ miles), I eat one Shot Blok every 2 miles. They have been coming in handy during my ongoing Dopey Challenge training. I've brought them along on my 15, 17, and 20 mile runs. I liked the orange flavor, though got a bit of a mediciny like after taste. I really liked the extra boost of caffeine, as it helped give me the push needed to finish those longer miles (each one being my longest run until that next one).

The Bloks don't bother my stomach at all, and I find them easy to chew. Their packaging is much easier to deal with than other chews I've tried – they have a nice perforation that you pull down on the top rather than needing to peel apart, so it's easy to get the chews out. If you have trouble with this, you can also put the chews in a snack size ziplock bag for easy access. I have no problems fitting these in my Flipbelt or my Orange Mud hydration pack.

They are a great fuel option, and I usually use them in conjunction with ENERGYbits – no tummy problems, and the combo keeps my hunger at bay when I'm out there for 2+ hours. If you're curious, I drink Nuun on my runs. Again, no stomach issues for me.

I will continue to use the Shot Bloks, but I'll admit that orange won't be my first pick – I generally go for the berry flavors (love the mountain berry, black cherry, cran-razz, strawberry, and tropical punch). It's just my preference. I let my husband try one, and he enjoyed the flavor. I hear the margarita is phenomenal, so I'll have to give those a try sometime soon. Angie and I swapped a few packages when we met up at the Chicago Marathon, so I was able to try the Mountain Berry. Great taste! Thanks for sharing, Angie!

Flavor notes from the Clif Bar website:
• An orange pick-me-up with a 25mg boost of caffeine
• 95% organic
• 25mg caffeine
• Simple-to-handle
• Easy-to-chew

Flavor options: black cherry with caffeine (50mg), citrus, cran-razz, margarita (cramp buster = 3X sodium = 150mg), mountain berry, orange with caffeine (25mg), strawberry, and tropical punch with caffeine (25mg)

Nutrition Facts.

CLIF BAR MINIS
I liked both of the bars that I received. The chocolate chip and white chocolate macadamia nut were great to have as on-the-go snacks. I often put one in my purse before I left the house to have something when I got hungry. It definitely came in handy when I did a brewery tour that had no food involved. After a few beers, I had a Clif Bar and it satiated my hunger for another few hours. Their the perfect size at 100–110 calories per bar. I actually just ordered a pack of some seasonal holiday flavors (iced gingerbread and spiced pumpkin pie - yum!) from Amazon, though they are the full sized ones. Can't wait for them to arrive :)

A perfect snack to hold off the hunger while waiting to eat lunch.
Yes, I enjoy pre-lunch snacks.

Brewery Tour snack.

Flavor options for the full bars (there's a LOT and I want to taste all of them except the ones with coconut, obviously haha): apricot, banana nut bread, black cherry almond, blueberry crisp, carrot cake, chocolate almond fudge, chocolate brownie, chocolate chip, chocolate chip peanut crunch, coconut chocolate chip, cool mint chocolate, crunchy peanut butter, iced gingerbread, maple nut, oatmeal raisin walnut, peanut toffee buzz, pecan pie, sierra trail mix, spiced pumpkin pie, white chocolate macadamia nut.

Flavor options for the minis: chocolate chip, crunchy peanut butter, chocolate brownie, white chocolate macadamia nut. Those all sound yummy.

Chocolate Chip Mini Nutrition Facts.

Chocolate Chip flavor notes from the Clif Bar website:
• A cookie-lover's dream come true
• Made with organic rolled oats
• 23 Vitamins and minerals

The full ones are also a good source of protein and fiber.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Nutrition Facts.

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut flavor notes from the Clif Bar website:
• Exploding with roasted macadamia nuts and the taste of scrumptious white chocolate

• Made with organic rolled oats

• 23 Vitamins and minerals

LUNA PROTEIN BARS

As stated above, I traded with Jenn for the Lemon Vanilla. While some people don't like this flavor, I think it's delicious! It reminds me of the Lemonade Girl Scout cookies. I had a sample of this flavor at the Chicago Women's Half Marathon Packet Pickup and thought it tasted great. Since it's packed with protein, I like to eat them after workouts. I add it to my gym bag and eat it on my way out. Works like a charm. I've also had the Chocolate Peanut Butter and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough – both delightful. Other flavor options include Mint Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Coconut Almond (which I swapped), and Chocolate Cherry Almond.

Some information about the LUNA Protein Lemon Vanilla Bars:

• Zesty lemon with a creamy finish, their first non-chocolate protein bar.

• Sweet satisfaction in a high protein bar created just for women. LUNA Protein lets us indulge while it helps us stick to our best intentions, with nutritious ingredients and the power of protein to keep us feeling full.

• Gluten free

• 12g of Protein, 3g of Fiber

• High in Calcium and Folic Acid

• Good source of Iron and Vitamin D

LUNA Protein Lemon Vanilla Nutrition Facts.

So, if you're looking to try out some new fuel options for before, during, or after your runs (or to have some delicious snacks) – I'd give any/all of these a try :) 

Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.

Have you ever tried any of these products? Do you use them to fuel your runs? What's your go-to?

Connect with Clif:

http://www.clifbar.com/

https://www.facebook.com/clifbar

http://www.clifbar.com/

http://instagram.com/clifbarcompany

Connect with LUNA:

http://www.lunabar.com/

https://www.facebook.com/luna

https://twitter.com/lunabar

http://instagram.com/lunabar

What did the other Pros have to say? Check it out:

Jane | Jeremy | Angie | Jenn | Amy | Matt

*All thoughts and opinions are my own and honest, as always :)

the weekly chase #32

On Tuesdays I join the Weekly Chase link up with Mindy from Road Runner Girl – thanks for hosting, Mindy! I missed last week for the first time since I joined the link up. I'm a day late, so joining here on Wednesday as I try to play catch up this week. Below are my goals from two weeks ago, and then I'll add some new ones for this week.

Weekly goals for November 3–9; recap

Goal #1 - Daily goals – 

A: Log and stay under calorie goals. 

B: Drink 48 ounces of water.

C: Eat healthier snacks/meals. 

D. Hit 10,000 steps per day via Fitbit (will use caution here, as my shins and calves have been sore since my 20 miler on Sunday).
All of these went well that week. I didn't hit my steps each day, as I took it easy for my shins and calves. Steps were: 5269, 5830, 10114, 13095, 17102, 36758, 30,113. I did so well starting Thursday because I was at Walt Disney World for theme park fun and some runDisney races. 

The following week steps: 17902, 21577, 24326, 21244, 10533, 8091, 25988. I was in the top 5 of my friends list, which was nice to see, as I'm generally in the teens or 20s haha. Don't expect it to be so great this week, as I'm being a bit lazy after my exhausting two weeks. I didn't eat great while on vacation, though I tried to get a few salads in there. Gotta get back at it this week.

Goal #2 - Continue Dopey training.
Eh, I got in the miles on the weekend (only needed 6 since I switched up my weeks, but ran 16.2). Plus there were the days of being on my feet ALL day long walking around. I think it counts as endurance.

Goal #3 - Roll with the stick/foam roll, stretch, and ice daily.
I did rolling and some stretching, but didn't get the icing in on vacation.

Goal #4 - Cross train at least two days.
I think walking all day every day counts as my cross training, no?

Weekly goals for November 17–23

Goal #1 - Daily goals – 

A: Log and stay under calorie goals. 

B: Drink 48 ounces of water.

C: Eat healthier snacks/meals. 

D. Hit 10,000 steps per day via Fitbit.

Goal #2 - Continue Dopey training - two 45 minute runs, 7 miles on Saturday.

Goal #3 - Roll with the stick/foam roll, stretch, and ice daily.

Goal #4 - Cross train at least two days.

Goal #5 - Unpack, do laundry, clean house.

How about you – what are your goals for the week?